Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (15 page)

“Kick off your shoes and relax?”  Elizabeth laughed.  “Well, as you have mentioned it, I will have to tell you, Miss Kelly, we have no intention of putting on a show of proper decorum for your benefit tonight, but we want you and your brother to be as relaxed as we are.  Now, I cannot do anything for him, but for you, would you like to change out of your visiting clothes and put on a morning dress and some slippers?” 

“Oh.”  She looked down at what could only be described as one of her very best dresses and glanced at Richard.  He was standing with his lips pursed and his eyes lit expectantly.  “I am afraid that . . . forgive me but your gowns are probably a little small for me.”

“Oh I know, but I think that we can address that.  Gentlemen, please excuse us.”  Elizabeth smiled and taking charge of Sophie, they departed, leaving the three men standing alone in the suddenly quiet room. 

“Well.”  Darcy looked after them and then headed for the decanter of port.  “I need a drink.”

“Make that two.”

“Three.”  Robert spoke up. 

Darcy smiled a little as he poured out the rich wine and handed around the glasses.  The men drank them down and without a word, Darcy refilled all three.   This time, he took a small sip.  “That is better.”  Taking a chair, he waved his hand around.  “Elizabeth was serious gentlemen, if we were at Pemberley, we would likely be settled in the leather chair before the fire in the library, sipping hot toddies and covered with a blanket.  In all honesty, I really do not care who is here tonight, so if you are of a sensitive nature and happen to notice my rather ardent attention towards my wife this evening, I suggest that you turn your head or retire, because I do not intend to hold back.” 

“If only we had a bowl of punch and a flaming tray of raisins.”  Richard chuckled. 

“Georgiana mentioned your comments at Christmas.” 

“Oh?”  He tilted his head.

“Were you playing snapdragon?”  Robert asked.  “That is a favourite of our family.  Poor Sophie has a burn on her hand from a raisin.  She just stood there and stared at it while screaming hysterically.” 

“When was this?  Hopefully not recently?” 

“No, she was . . . quite young, at about the age when that suitor of hers joined the army.”  He looked at Richard and smiled as his mouth opened and he nodded.  “Yes . . . I admit it was poorly done, but I wanted to see your reaction.”

“And, how was it?”

“Interesting.” 

“What are we talking about?”  Darcy looked between them.

“Go back to your drink, man.  You never noticed her when you had the opportunity.”

“Ohhhh,  Miss Kelly.”  Darcy tilted his head.  “Mr. Kelly, are you being the protective brother?”

“Naturally.” 

“Good, put him through his paces, then.  Lord knows he did it to me.”

“Is Mrs. Darcy your cousin, sir?  You married family?” 

Darcy nearly spat out his wine and Richard snorted.  “Good Lord, Darcy!”  He turned to Robert.  “In case you are wondering, that was a sound ‘no’.”

“I thought so.”  Robert laughed.  “So what is the story?”

Darcy held up his hand.  “My dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth is the daughter of a gentleman from a different circle than mine.  My cousin made damn sure that I was marrying not only for love, but a woman who could bear the position she would attain upon becoming my wife.”  Darcy watched Richard squirm.  “It was miserable at the time, but I know that it was done with love.  She has proven herself both worthy and capable, as I always knew she would.  As you can see by their embrace, Elizabeth has forgiven his interference.”  

“How did you assign yourself this duty?  Or was this your parents?  Your father is an earl, I understand?”

“Yes to all of it.”  Richard glanced at Darcy.  “Fortunately the woman I choose will only have to put up with me, a colonel in the Horse Guards.” 

Darcy’s head wagged. “That is not entirely true.  She will certainly require a strong backbone and every one of the qualities you demanded of Elizabeth.” 

“Because she might have to face your being sent to war?  And she would be moving in the peers’ circles?”  Robert looked between them, not reading the two cousins’ stares.  “Gentlemen?” 

“Naturally.”  Darcy said softly.

“But as we continually discover in life, anything can happen at any time.  My brother might fall in a river and then where would I be?”  He looked down at his hands and up to Robert.  “Of course this is all conjecture over a glass of fine port; your brothers could very well do the same about you.  All I know for certain is that whoever the woman is that I marry; I want to be accepted for the man that I am.” 

Darcy smiled at him and looked to Robert, “I promise you, he is an excellent man who desperately needs a good no-nonsense woman to love him and kick him in the behind once in a while.”  Robert smiled.  “If you think about it.  That is who we all need.”

“Well, Sophie would certainly do that for whoever might court her.”  Robert looked at Richard inquiringly.  “If that is what you are hinting about?”

“That is a problem.”  Richard sighed.  “I do have to return to London.  Very soon.”

“And you do have to go to Matlock.”  Darcy reminded him.  “But, once there, I see no reason why you cannot come and visit here from time to time.” 

“But you will be back at Pemberley.” 

“Not until August.  Surely you can win a campaign in that length of time?  Or at least determine if you want to?”  Darcy smiled and appreciated the rare sight of Richard’s blush.  “Well, that is a fine place to begin.”  They could hear Elizabeth and Sophie returning.

“Do I have any say in this campaign, as you call it?”  Robert said in a low tone.

“Who sent you here today?”  Darcy muttered.

“My father.”

“For what purpose?”

“To make an invitation . . .” He stopped as he felt Darcy’s eyes bore into him and spoke slowly, “To get a good look at the colonel and determine if he is worthy.”    Richard gaped and Darcy nodded.  “It seems that my father is on the same page as you, Colonel.  And you saw through it easily, Mr. Darcy.”

“So he is.”  Richard laughed and lifted his glass to toast Darcy, “Well done!”

“What was well done?”  Elizabeth asked.  Instantly the men were on their feet, and she smiled when Richard looked Sophie over appreciatively when she appeared in Georgiana’s fine morning dress. 

 Darcy caught her eye and winked.  “Dearest, while you were out walking this morning, the Kellys came by to pay a call.”

She feigned surprise, “Did they?  Whatever could
they
want?”

“I do not know, and they have been here for hours.”  His eyes twinkled and taking her hand pulled her into his arms. 

“Perhaps they are nosing for an invitation to dinner.”  She whispered and leaned against his chest.

“I am certain that is the case.  After all, everyone knows that a joint was ordered from the butcher for this house.”  Darcy and Elizabeth turned to look at them inquiringly, “So tell us Mr. Kelly, what brings you to our humble abode?”

Robert laughed, “We were not after your joint, sir.  It was merely an invitation for you and the colonel to come and join a final hunt before the weather turned against us.”  There was a rumble of thunder and they looked out at the storm.  “Not that it is too inviting now.”   

“A hunt.”  Darcy bit his lip. 

“I think that you are well enough for it, Will, you did not feel any pain when we rode into Castle Douglas, and you carried me upstairs without a moment’s hesitation.”

“I agree, I am probably well enough for the riding . . .” He smiled at her curious gaze.  “I was just considering how you would do.”

“Me?”  Elizabeth stared. 

“Yes, you, love.  I want you to ride the hunts at Pemberley.”

“Have you lost your senses!”  She gasped.

“I do not believe so.  But I was not suggesting that you were ready to ride on a hunt now, I would never risk that with a novice rider.”  Smiling, he squeezed her hand and seeing her relief, chuckled.  “Miss Kelly, have you ever ridden along with the hunt?”

“Oh yes!”  She laughed at Elizabeth’s widened eyes.  “I am sorry, Mrs. Darcy, but with my brothers, I had no choice but to learn to ride and to do it well.  I can fire a pistol, too.”  Sophie blushed under the growing admiration in Richard’s eyes as a smile spread across his face.

“She does scream when the pistol fires and cannot hit the side of a barn.” Robert mentioned casually.

“When did you last shoot, Miss Kelly?”

“It has been years, Colonel.”  She admitted and sent Robert a look when he laughed.  “Mama said that it was not ladylike and nearly strangled Papa when he taught me.  But I do remember.”

Richard’s smile practically beamed at her, she was showing off for him.  “I am certain that you do.”

“Would you like to learn, love?”  Darcy asked seriously.

“No.”

Nodding, he looked her over.  “Hmm, you are probably correct; you would be terrible at it.”

“Pardon?”

“Just as you are a terrible rider; and a terrible singer . . .”

“I am
not
a terrible singer.”

“Why?”

“Why?  Because I have practiced and practiced . . .” She stopped and stared.  His head was tilted and the amusement in his expression infuriated her.  “That was unkind, sir.” 

“Practice makes perfect.  Tomorrow, we ride.”

“Where?”

“To the sea.”

“Oh, that is a long ride if you are not used to it.”  Sophie said knowingly.

“It is not so long.” 

“Have a cushion ready when you return home.”  Richard laughed.

“Have I not suffered enough already?”  Elizabeth demanded of Darcy.

He looked at the ceiling thoughtfully and back to her, “No.  After that we begin shooting lessons.” 

“To what purpose?  You are only giving me a skill that I can use against you one day.”

“No, no, no, we are agreed to limit our arguments to pillows as weapons.”  He smiled and pulled one of her curls and watched it bounce back into shape.

Elizabeth batted him away.  “If you recall, sir.  I have been most effective with silencing you by pillow.”

“You suffocated him?”  Sophie gasped.

“In a way.”  She smiled as Darcy’s gaze drifted to her breasts.

“Mrs. Darcy, dinner is ready to be served.”  Parker announced and stepped away.

“Good, I am famished!”  Richard declared and held out his arm for Sophie.  “Shall we?”  He sent a knowing look to Darcy and quickly headed out the door with Robert following closely. 

Darcy and Elizabeth stayed behind for a few moments.  He smiled and laughed softly at her raised brow and pursed lips.  “I also taught you the secrets to double entendre.”

“I know, and I love it.”

“You most certainly did not silence me with our pillow fight.”   He said softly. “That tongue of yours . . .” He gave an involuntary shudder.  Elizabeth stood on her toes and nibbled his lips.  “Oh my . . .” Darcy moaned.

“This is our honeymoon now?”  She whispered.

“Yes.”

“Good.”  Taking him by the hand, she led him to the door.  “I have plans for you, Mr. Darcy.” 

“What sort of plans?”  He asked as she pulled him along.

“You will give your riding lessons . . .” Elizabeth stopped walking and her eyes danced as his demanded her answer.  Tracing her finger over his parted lips, she promised.  “. . . and I will give mine.” 

Chapter 6

D
arcy watched Amy adding some coals to the fire and stoking it.  Elizabeth stirred against him and he looked down to her face resting against his chest, and then back up to the girl trying to complete her work as quickly and quietly as possible.  Judy entered, sending a quick look to Elizabeth, and quietly urged Amy to hurry.

“It is fine, Judy.  She is not disturbing us.”  Darcy said softly.

“I am sorry, sir.  I hoped you would sleep longer after yesterday.”

“Mrs. Darcy is still asleep.  Do you have the tincture prepared?”

“Yes sir, shall I leave it here for her?”  Judy set down a glass on the bedside table.

“Thank you.”  He looked to the curtained window, “Has the rain ended?”

“Yes, sir, although it is rather grey so far.  Parker is tending to Mr. Kelly and I just finished with Miss Kelly.  I think that she is hoping to leave quickly.  She feels that they were imposing terribly upon you.” 

Darcy sighed, “And so we should have sent them out into the storm?” 

“I took the liberty of saying something to that effect, sir.”  Judy looked around the room and picking up Elizabeth’s robe from a chair, laid it across the end of the bed.  “Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”

“No, thank you.  I suppose that Parker has his hands full, so I will take advantage of his occupation for a few more minutes of peace.” 

“Yes, sir.”  Judy looked to the fireplace.  “I think that is fine, Amy.”  The girl nodded and gathering her things, left the room ahead of Judy.  The door clicked shut.  Darcy watched the fire growing, and kissed Elizabeth’s forehead. 

“What tincture are you two feeding me?” 

Darcy smiled down at her. “Ah, you are awake!  I hope that you are well-rested, I have many things planned for us today . . .”

“Will.  What is in that glass I heard Judy set down?”

“The willow bark, you stubborn woman.  Now you may have a taste of your own medicine!”  He stroked away the tangled curls that lay across her face.  “I know that you are sore.”

“A little.”  She sat up and groaning, curled back against his warm chest.  “Very well, more than a little.”

“I thought as much.  Well, if our guests depart in time, we can take a carriage to the coast instead of riding.”  Seeing one brown eye fixed upon him, he tapped her nose, “This time.” 

“You are determined.”

“I am.” 

“It was a wonderful evening.  If all of our guests could be as warm and friendly as the Kellys, I think that I would like to entertain often.” 

“It was wonderful because we were ourselves.” 

“True.”  Elizabeth smiled and traced the stubble on his chin.  “Richard is smitten.”